GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Ok.
Need some help.
My daughter has a 2003 Vibe and her car has the following issues:
Radio cuts in and out.
Battery light on.
ABS and brake light on.
I opened the hood and there is no brake fluid in the reservoir, but all over by the ABS pump and belts.
Obviously there is a leak, but there is so much you can't really see.
Cannot figure why the battery light and why the dash lights would dim.

Alternator and belts are covered in fluid.

Is there a possibility of an electrical short?

ABS unit leak?

Any ideas?

Thanks.

My 03 leaks fluid around the reservoir and hoses. I need to replace the hoses because they are hard and the clamps a spring type which suck over time. Just make sure you have oil and gas grade hoses. Should be a simple fix, draining the fluid will be the pain.

Is you check engine light on or just the battery light? Do you thing it's possible the belt might be slipping on the alternator? When was the last time the belt and tensioner where changed? If never I'd replace the belt first off.
It's possible the brake fluid could be causing a short. Disconnect the battery, remove the terminals on the alternator and clean the heck out of the connections with some electrical contact cleaner. This is a 10 y/o car and it's also possible the Alternator is bad.

In regards to the Radio I'd suggest removing it and check the wiring harness on the back may sure nothing is damaged or loose. If it's shorting that could also cause the battery light to come on.

Well, turns out one of the trans cooler lines was rubbing on the a/c pulley so it made a hole in the line.I guess the trans fluid was making the belt slip. I sprayed about 2 cans of brake cleaner to clean it all up. Fired it up and all is good. I will be replacing the drive belt as well.

Good news! Hope you got a good Trans line. Needs to be fuel/oil safe. Make sure you refill with the correct fluid and secure the new line.